Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup will be held in India in 2025, announced by the Kho Kho Federation of India and the International Kho Kho Federation. The event will feature 24 countries from 6 continents, with 16 teams for both men and women. To promote the sport, the KKFI plans to introduce Kho Kho in 200 schools across 10 cities and aims to register at least 50 lakh players. The tournament will include a week of matches with top athletes worldwide, aiming to elevate Kho Kho to an international level. Kho Kho, rooted in India, has a global presence, with 54 countries participating in the sport.

Notes:
Entomologists discovered a new species of potter wasp in Arunachal Pradesh, named Pseumenes siangensis. It belongs to the genus Pseumenes within the subfamily Eumeninae and is mainly found in the Oriental region. These solitary wasps build small, pot-like mud nests for their larvae. India has only reported one other species of this genus, making Pseumenes siangensis a significant addition to the country’s wasp diversity. The species was found in the Upper Siang District and named after Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. At 30.2 mm in length, it has unique features and plays a role in controlling pest populations by feeding on caterpillars and insects.

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India and the USA have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand and diversify critical minerals supply chains, aiming to leverage their complementary strengths for resilience in the sector. This agreement focuses on equipment, services, policies, and best practices for the commercial development of critical minerals exploration and processing. The MoU is part of broader efforts to enhance innovation ecosystems and secure supply chains in semiconductors and clean energy, following discussions held during the 6th US-India Commercial Dialogue in October 2024.

Notes:
The Assam government has launched the ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme to combat child marriage and support girl students in pursuing higher studies. The scheme provides monthly stipends: Rs 1,000 for Classes 11-12, Rs 1,250 for degree students, and Rs 2,500 for post-graduate students. To qualify, students must attend classes regularly, demonstrate discipline, perform well in exams, and delay marriage until after completing their post-graduation. This initiative aims to empower girls and promote education in Assam.

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The Halari donkey, native to Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, is an endangered breed according to the IUCN. Known for its intelligence, it works closely with humans in agricultural tasks. Halari donkeys are small to medium-sized, typically white or light gray, and well-adapted to arid climates with high endurance. They can survive on minimal food and water. Their milk, valued for its medicinal properties, can sell for up to Rs 1000. The population is declining due to mechanization and a lack of awareness. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect their genetic diversity and cultural heritage.

Notes:
The body of an eight-year-old tiger was recently found near Amangarh Tiger Reserve. Amangarh Tiger Reserve is located in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh. It covers approximately 9,500 hectares, which is about 95 square kilometers. The reserve is next to the Corbett Tiger Reserve and acts as an important corridor for Asiatic elephants, tigers, and other wildlife. Originally part of Jim Corbett National Park, Amangarh remained in Uttar Pradesh after Uttarakhand was formed from it.

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India’s National Space Commission approved the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex), India’s fifth lunar mission. Lupex follows the success of Chandrayaan-3’s Moon landing in August 2023, making India the fourth nation to land on the Moon. It is a joint mission between India’s ISRO and Japan’s JAXA, focusing on lunar resource exploration. The main objective is to study the presence and distribution of water on the Moon’s surface and beneath its regolith. Lupex aims to provide crucial data for future lunar exploration and potential human habitation.

Notes:
South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Korean to receive this honor. Her work is known for its “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and the fragility of life. Notable works include The Vegetarian (Man Booker International Prize winner in 2016), The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons.

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RBI proposed the Reserve Bank Climate Risk Information System (RB-CRIS) to bridge gaps in climate-related data. Current climate data is fragmented, from varied sources, formats, and frequencies. RB-CRIS will have two parts: a public web directory of data sources and a data portal with standardized datasets. RBI will launch RB-CRIS in phases, starting with the directory, followed by the portal for regulated entities. Regulated entities must assess climate risks to ensure financial stability. RBI’s draft guidelines require disclosures on governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics related to climate risks.

Notes:
NABARD’s second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) for 2021-22 surveyed 1 lakh rural households across India post-COVID. The average monthly income of households rose by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22, with a 9.5% CAGR. Agricultural households earned Rs. 13,661, while non-agricultural households earned Rs. 11,438.
Salaried employment was the largest income source for all households (37%). For agricultural households, cultivation made up one-third of income, while government/private services contributed one-fourth. Non-agricultural households relied primarily on government/private services (57%) and wage labor (26%).